For staff, a library system is only visible when something goes wrong. Manual workarounds that consume valuable time, or unexpected downtime. At a large library system, small technical issues can have an outsized impact on both staff workflows and patron experience.
Allen County Public Library understands that challenge well. Serving a large and diverse community across 14 branches, the library manages millions of physical and digital resources, high circulation volumes, and one of the most significant genealogy collections in the United States. As their services expanded and digital engagement became increasingly important – the library needed technology that could support its scale without adding complexity.
In our latest case study, Allen County Public Library shares how it modernized its technology foundation, improved the patron experience, and created a platform for continuous innovation.
Modernizing without disrupting service
Technology migrations are rarely simple, especially when millions of records and items are involved. Allen County Public Library implemented Polaris alongside Vega Discover, Vega WebBuilder, and LX Starter as part of a broader modernization initiative. Despite the size of the project, the library completed the transition in just six months.
“We completed the migration in six months… including full implementation of Polaris, Vega Discover, Vega WebBuilder, and LX Starter,” says Nate Burnard, Systems Services Manager at Allen County Public Library.
This case study explores the planning, implementation support, and partnership that helped the library make this transition while maintaining continuity for staff and patrons.
Making digital engagement easier
When patrons visit a library website or search the catalog, they expect the same intuitive experience they encounter elsewhere online. Allen County Public Library wanted its digital presence to better showcase programs, collections, and services while making discovery easier for users.
According to Burnard: “Vega Discover has been especially valuable because of its visual appeal and engagement capabilities, and Vega WebBuilder helped us create something accessible, customizable, mobile responsive, and visually appealing.”
For libraries looking to strengthen online engagement, the case study provides a practical example of how one institution approached that goal.
Creating stability that staff can trust
Library staff need confidence that core systems will be available when patrons need them. Technology teams need solutions that reduce operational burden while supporting security and long-term sustainability.
“The reliability has been excellent. We’ve experienced very little downtime, and customer support has been exceptional.”
Their story also examines how hosted infrastructure helped the library reduce internal maintenance responsibilities while strengthening performance and security.
Building for what’s next
Perhaps the most valuable lesson from Allen County Public Library’s experience is that modernization is not the end goal. The real objective is creating a foundation that allows libraries to adapt, improve, and respond to changing community needs over time.
Burnard notes: “What stands out most is the pace of development and continuous improvement.”
The ability to evolve was a critical outcome for a library focused not only on today’s needs, but also on future opportunities.
Learn from Allen County Public Library
Allen County Public Library’s journey offers valuable insights for library leaders evaluating system modernization, digital engagement, operational efficiency, and long-term technology strategy. Download the case study to see how one large public library modernized its systems, strengthened reliability, and created a foundation for continuous innovation.